Archive for February, 2014

As investor relations people, we often hear or talk about stocks that have a great “story” – by which we mean a memorable explanation of how the business generates value. Stockbrokers and the buy side like a good story.

So I was intrigued by “How to Tell Your Company’s Story” in Inc. magazine’s February 2014 issue, which highlights entrepreneurial CEOs and their corporate offpsring. Writer Adam Bluestein says:

Before it has investors, customers, profits, press coverage, or even a perfected product, every startup has at least one valuable asset: its story. So you might want to ask yourself: Who are you? Where did you come from? Why are you doing this? … your company’s origin story has more power than you might imagine.

Inc. focuses on the sizzle of young entrepreneurial stories, of course, but the power of how and why your business got started applies to corporate old-timers as well. Even decades into a company’s history – sometimes a century or more – the values, initiative and focus of a founder can influence the culture and brand appeal of a business:

The creation myth is not an asset just for startups. As those businesses grow into established firms and individual founders figure less prominently, the origin story can serve as both a road map and moral compass. Keeping that story alive, keeping it true, and keeping it relevant–these are the challenges more mature businesses must contend with.

What’s the significance for investor relations? Well, investing ultimately is a bet on a company, a group of people trying to accomplish something in the bigger world around us. In IR, we hope to connect with investors whose perspective extends beyond the current quarter.

If we can show that creativity and drive are embedded in a company’s DNA, that business is probably a good bet over the long haul. Think about great companies, and you’ll realize they are also great stocks.

What’s your creation story? Have you researched it, defined the distinguishing characteristics, set out the strategic essentials that fuel your business today and will continue to do so in the future?